The "F-Word", Vagina, & Penny Tration!

I'm gon’ testify here... This isn't in regard to any one person or instance, but if you know me well, you know it's one of the easiest ways to flip my trigger.
 
There is no part of my body which smells like fish.  I’m not a “fish”, nor am I “fishy”.  The only place I’ve experienced the regular use of this word is in the GLBT community, and have heard it used by both gay men and drag queens. 

  

I understand some of you might not have had direct experiences with one, but I’m here to tell you a healthy, clean vagina does not smell like fish.  (And guess what?  It doesn't taste like fish either!)

If there is a bacterial imbalance/infection present or if the natural PH levels in a woman’s body are elevated or lowered, a vagina can smell different than normal.Yes, our bodies have PH levels!  Who knew you’d get a health class today?  The vaginal pH fluctuates between 3.8 to 4.5 levels, slightly acidic. The normal, healthy vagina contains both good and bad bacteria. Normally, the healthy bacteria predominate and they keep the vaginal pH between 3.8 to 4.5 levels. High vaginal pH numbers indicate less acidity, while lower than normal vaginal pH levels indicate high acidity.

Regarding bacterial imbalances, many factors can contribute to the overgrowth of bad bacteria, including: pregnancy, menstruation cycle, improper hygiene during menstruation periods, stress, tight clothing, lingerie and lack of sleep. Other risk factors include a new sexual partner or multiple partners, use of antibiotics and more.  Also, if a woman has unprotected sex (with semen released in the vagina) and doesn't cleanse with water after, her body can pick up a more sea-like smell. If you know the circumstances, the fragrance is identifiable, but if you didn't know you would probably mistake it for “fishyness.”  It's the male and female which both contribute to these sex smells.

Be honest, it’s just between you and I…  How many of you have used this word in the past?
 
But to refer to women as “fish” or “fishy”, is derogatory and misogynistic.  And if you can't figure out why this might offend women, I'll provide a parallel.  To call a woman a fish is as derogatory and inaccurate as referring to a gay man as “poop” or “poopy”. Think about it.
 
I’ve heard this term often used by drag queens, entirely too often on RuPaul’s Drag Race.  I've loved RuPaul since the "Supermodel" days and watching his shows on Logo have been a guilty pleasure.  Unfortunately, Ru's opener to Untucked has become one snapper joke after another.  I'm almost ready to cease watching, because it has become so offensive.  The season opening episode of the Drag Race had the most "f-bombs" ever dropped on one episode, and I wonder if any of the people using it has ever stopped to consider the word.
 
In the latest episode, the derogatory words being discussed here were used over and over again.  One queen, CoCo Montrese, even sports a tacky home-made hat lettered with pink tape which says “FISH”.  Knowing what we all do about the sometimes harsh realities of life, I am surprised that an African-American gay man who is also a drag queen, would be so insensitive (or uninformed) that he would use such derogatory language toward another.  Educate yourself, Ms. Coco.  Hate isn’t humor.

I find it odd that drag queens/female impersonators would insult the ones they are impersonating: women.  Isn’t the saying, “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”? 
 
I know one drag queen, a friend and a talented “people’s queen” would give me the “T” if I asked her.  I first met her at The Cabaret located above Below Zero Lounge in Cincinnati.  I always enjoy seeing her perform; she’s entertaining, looks great, and is just as loving and respectful to her audience as they are to her.

So, who did I call?  Penny Tration!

Lady:  "Grrrrrrrrrrrl... I wonder if you'd have the time to lend your opinions to my blog.  The questions I'd like your input in regard to is the noun "fish" or adjective “fishy" to define a woman or a feminine, “passable” drag queen."

Penny:  "Totally! For you?? Are you kidding me?? LOL ABSOLUTELY."

Lady:  "Speaking of the Race, how was your experience there?"

Penny:  "The race - my overall experience has been great. Filming was like boot camp for drag. It was much more physically demanding than I expected."

Lady:  "If you could have done anything differently in your time on the Race, what would it have been?"

Penny:  "I wouldn't do anything different other than maybe forget the rules and just do my thing. Seems the rules are less relevant than the outcome on this show."

Lady:  "Have you ever used the words "fish" or adjective "fishy" to define a woman or a passable, feminine, drag queen?  If yes, have you ever considered it to be derogatory?"

Penny:  "My quick answer is, I HATE THAT TERM! I think there is something inherently misogynistic about drag anyway and we have to tread very lightly around those topics. I think calling someone "fish" is just too offensive for my taste. I get what they're trying to say and it's supposed to be a compliment...but I doubt that it is."

Lady:  "Ever played "F-Marry-Kill"? Which of the contestants would you have "f'ed-married-or killed"?

Penny:  "LOL - I’ve never played that game. I can tell you that I made a life-long friend in Detox - she is amazin'."